My stomach lurches as I hear her confession on why she went looney in the grocery store parking lot, running the guy over. I swallow and nod, then wrench my door open. I turn to stand, but my shaky legs fail me and I drop to the ground, puking all over the floor in front of me.
I just wanted some fucking BBQ today.
Scratch starts blowing up my phone about Cain tearing down the drive and damn near taking out the gate. I don’t know what the fuck he’s talkin’ about since Cain is sitting right next to me, sippin’ his whiskey and lemon, preaching to me about some kind of fuckin’ vitamin I should take. I hang up on Scratch and gesture for Cain to follow me. I don’t know what the fuck is going on, so I take out my Glock just in case.
“Yo, Cain, Scratch is fucking trippin’, said you just blew through the fuckin’ gate.”
“What the fuck, bro? Has he gone off his rocker?” Cain glances at me confused. “I haven’t left. I spoke to the dude on my way through the gate earlier.”
Shrugging, I nod to the door. “I don’t know, brother, but be ready, ‘cause we gotta go check this shit out.”
“Ares, you’re VP now. You stay, and I’ll take 2 Piece or another member with me.”
“I don’t give fuck ‘bout that. I’m going. It’s what I do. You go and grow a vagina on me?” I’m always giving Cain shit about really being a female since he’s all health conscious, bitching at us to ‘make better choices’ and shit when we eat.
“Fuck off. You know my dick’s bigger.” Cain smirks and follows me.
2 Piece jumps up when he sees us rushing toward the door. “Sup?”
“Scratch gibbering on about fuck knows.” I shrug, replying gruffly and keep walking to the door.
2 unclips his pieces from their holsters and follows us quickly. One thing I admire about him is that he’s always ready to back us up, even if it’s the last thing he wants to do.
I crash through the club door momentarily blitzed by the bright sun light, blinking quickly to get my focus. Cain and 2 Piece come charging through behind me.
Sure as fuck, Cain’s beauty, Loretta, is parked vertically in front of the club entrance with one hell of a skid mark trailing.
Avery’s hanging out of the passenger side, puking her guts up, and a sobbing London climbs out of the driver side.
“The fuck is going on?” I bellow, trying to appear calm. Inside I’m freaking the fuck out, clearly seeing the girls are so upset.
Cain and 2 Piece each rush to London and Avery, trying to calm their Ol’ ladies down. I badly want to follow 2 Piece, to comfort Avery but make myself stay rooted to my spot.
Cain grasps London, pulls her to him, and wraps his arms around her as he rocks back and forth, “Shhh baby…shhh… tell me what’s wrong, and I’ll fuck ‘em up. Talk to me, London, come on baby.”
She winds her hands in Cain’s shirt, burying her face in his neck trying to get her emotions under control. Cain looks so pissed like the brothers’ head may pop the fuck off.
I make my way around the car to the opposite side to check if Avery can fill me in. 2 Piece leans over her into the car to grab her drink so she can rinse her mouth out. After she’s finished drinking, he helps her stand on her shaky legs.
“Angel, wanna fill me in?” Grumbling, I scan her from head to toe to make sure there’s not a scratch on her. I would fucking skin someone alive for touching a hair on her body.
She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. Staying silent, she makes my heart rate speed up even faster.
“You girls gotta give us something; we need to know what to do.” I’m almost ready to beg; I just want to keep her and my club safe by any means necessary.
“Bunch of damn alphas—the lot of you,” Sadie pipes up, full of sass. We all turn, noticing her for the first time.
2 Piece’s eyes get wide, and he growls, “Were you with them, Sades?”
“Nope, I was out back setting up the BBQ when I heard someone tearing through the drive; I thought I would come make sure everyone was okay.”
2 Piece huffs, about to flip his shit, so I step in, “Look little momma, you need to stay out in the back of the club if shit’s goin’ down; we want you safe. Now, do you know what happened?”
“No. Like I said, I just came and saw them like that,” she nods toward London and Avery.
“Thanks, momma. How ‘bout you go relax and take care of that babe, yeah?”
She raised her eyebrow at all of us, nodded, and then headed to the back yard.
“I had that,” 2 Piece huffs, irritated.
“I know man, but it’s different if I suggest it, versus her feelin’ like you’re ordering her around.”
“Yeah, good point.”
“Avery, talk to me.” I murmur, softer.
“Well,” she breaths deeply, “we had an issue at the grocery store.”
Cain growls, “What kind of fuckin’ issue?”
2 Piece throws his hands up. “That’s it, you’re not going to that fucking grocery store again! I’m done! Have one of the other bitches go, but you’ve had nothin’ but bullshit at that fuckin’ place.”
Cain nods, “Yep, you too, baby, no more fuckin’ shopping.”
“I’m pregnant.” London responds bluntly, wiping her cheeks from the leftover tears. We all hold our breath watching the couple.
Cain drops to his knees in the middle of the parking lot, rains kisses all over her shirt-covered stomach and rubs up her thighs as she runs her hands through his dark faux hawk.
2 Piece shakes his head, mumbling, “Christ, Cain’s on his way to a damn car load.”
We all chuckle, slightly lightening the seriousness of what’s going on.
“All right girls, ‘nough fucking around, tell me what’s going on.”
Cain climbs to his feet, holding London from behind so he can rest his hands on her stomach, while he peppers kisses on her neck. 2 Piece takes a step away from Avery, keeping their connection by holding her hand. The women look at me while the men send worried glances their way.
“We were confronted by a guy about the club and were lucky enough to get away. I made sure he couldn’t follow us,” London mumbled out, attempting to be as monotone as possible, giving me the information that I need to know immediately.
“So, no lockdown right this minute?”
“Close the gate just to make sure.” London glances towards the entrance worriedly.
“You got it.” I nod, pulling my phone out to text Scratch to secure the gate to the compound.
Cain pulls away, grabbing London’s hand and tugging her toward the club. “Come on, sugar tits, tell us all ‘bout it inside.” She relents, and follows him inside.
I pop open the trunk for the groceries and close the two car doors as Avery and 2 Piece head into the club. I grab the groceries from the trunk and follow them inside.
Once I get inside I send a text to Smiles, telling him to get the club girls to unload the groceries and head straight to the Prez’s office. I need to update him on this shit ASAP.
Knocking on the door frame, I pop my head in the open doorway, “Prez?”
“Yeah son, come on in.”
“We need church ASAP, with Avery and London attending.”
“Ol’ Ladies don’t come to church, you know this.”
“They were just confronted at the grocery store, and we all need to hear what went down.”
“Gotcha, I’ll text the boys; be ready in ten.”
I nod, leaving the room. I wonder what kind of shit storm this is gonna be.
Cain and London are quietly arguing when I get back to the bar, but I can still make out what they’re saying.
“You took Loretta, London? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Cain, Loretta is just a damn car, and thankfully, I was driving her and not my piece of shit Civic. If that guy would have followed me, I never would have outrun him if I wasn’t in your car!”
“I get it; I wish you would have said something about it though.”
“Why, so you could argue with me about driving it?”
“No baby, so I could get you a new car. Now you’re pregnant again, and it gives me an excuse to get you an SUV or something.”
“I don’t need a new car,” she says stubbornly and Cain huffs.
“Woman! Are you trying to drive me crazy on purpose?”
“And what if I am?”
He grabs her quickly, taking her mouth and expressing all of his frustration in an erotic as fuck kiss. God, I wish I could walk up to Avery and kiss her like that when I got irritated ‘bout something. Shaking my head, I scan the room for Avery and 2 Piece.
Heading over to my usual booth, they appear to be in their own heated discussion; I’m assuming about her not calling him right away.
“I’m fine Silas, I told you.”
“I just can’t ever keep you fuckin’ safe, Avery. It’s fucked up.”
I clear my throat, effectively interrupting them. “2 Piece, brother, this shit isn’t your fault.” I swallow, glancing at Avery. “All that matters is that the girls made it back and unharmed. Prez is gonna call church in a few.”
“You’re the fucking VP now, Ares, do something about these fucks.”
“Calm down, we have to find out everything we can before just jumping all over shit. I know Cain is gonna be foaming at the mouth for this fuck, and I want to find him, too. I’ll figure out something, just try an’ be patient.”
Avery takes a deep breath, following it with a big drink of water. “Well, I guess I should start on making the pasta salad.”
2 Piece looks at her incredulously. “The fuck Shorty? Why do you have to brush shit off as if it didn’t happen. You’re not gonna make no fuckin’ salad, you’re comin’ to church.”
“Since when are women allowed in church, 2 Piece? I’m making that damn salad because I just picked out all of the shit for it!”
“Stubborn, I fuckin’ swear, Avery.”
She glares at him and then turns to me frustrated, seeking help.
“Fighting won’t do either of you any good. Shit just went down, so you’re coming to tell us all about it, Avery.” I glance back to him. “2 Piece, fucking just be grateful she’s breathing and not fucking hurt this time,” grumble and they both get quiet. I guess the little reminder of her getting shot on the back of his bike awhile back, made them remember shit could always be worse.
The brothers start chuckling and cat calling. Strange since they were nervous about getting to church to hear about what just went down.
“Crazy bitch!” Avery smiles, shaking her head and points behind me.
Turning I’m met with London laying on the bar top, stretched out just like the first time she came to the club house, as Cain pours tequila in her belly button and sprinkles salt on her cleavage. Brently is behind the bar with shot glasses lined up to fill them all with tequila.
After Cain is done getting her ready, he turns to the club, “Brothers! Grab a shot and celebrate the best news all day. My baby is knocked up!” He finishes by sucking the tequila from her belly button, causing London to grin a Cheshire smile. The brothers send out a room full of congratulations and excited whistles as they pass around the shots.
Once we get ours, we each tap glasses and swallow down the strong gold liquor. At least he picked something with a little kick; today in church, I think we’re damn sure going to need it.
Prez strolls in moments later, congratulating London and Cain, and then gets straight into business, calling church.
We all file in to the chapel and take our respective seats. This is the first time I’m sitting right next to the Prez, as the official Vice President of my club. I thought I would be nervous, but surprisingly, I feel confident. I’ve helped the club as the Enforcer for years, and I know I will be able to help them as VP as well.
Cain sits directly next to me now, in my old seat. It’s a little surreal, but I’m glad it’s his body filling that chair. 2 Piece moves up to sit in Cain’s old spot, across the table next to Smiles, our Road Captain. 2 Piece isn’t the club Brawler like Cain used to be, that’s not why he filled that seat. He moved spots because it’s all about the pecking order. The closer you are to the Prez’s spot, the higher the patch you wear. 2 Piece now handles all of the weapons aspects for the club’s personal and business uses.
I have to say, it’s refreshing to see the people I’m closest to move up in ranks with me. It will make my job easier in the long run. Fuck knows we don’t want to have to worry about another traitor at the table, like the old brother, Capone.
“Brothers, one thing that needs to be announced is that we had previously voted on 2 Piece getting patched as the club’s new Sergeant at Arms. Well, he agreed to it, and it’s now official.” The room explodes in cheers, ribbing, and congratulating 2 Piece on the new spot he holds.
Once all the commotion dies down, Prez moves on to what happened at the store. It’s not less important than the patch announcement, it was just older business, and Prez always attempts to handle club shit in the order it happens.
The girls sit against the wall in the extra folding chairs and when we’re ready for them, they recite the events from the grocery store so all the brothers can hear what happened. I notice Twist getting a little crazy eyed when he hears the girls talking about the guy showing them his knife and how they defended themselves in order to get away.
We’re all very lucky the bastard didn’t have time to get his knife out and really hurt the girls. Nonetheless, they’re shaken up, and I know it’s eating all of the brothers up inside to not have this piece of filth here to torture.
The Prez takes a large drink of water, looking peeved, his wrinkles more pronounced with stress. “Do you have any idea on who the fuck it could be? Did they have any patches on that look like the Twisted Snakes? Or any patches at all that could help us?”
Avery shakes her head, still a little pale from being sick and then having to rehash it all. “No, Prez. I’m sorry, I didn’t even think about that. I was just so scared when he started talking about the new VP. I just couldn’t help but tell him to leave the VP and the club alone. I know I shouldn’t have said anything at all.”
“Aww shug’, ain’t nothin’ to be sorry for. You girls did the right thing and I know it’s not only me who’s proud, but all the brothers here are proud of how you two handled the situation.” He nods, pointing at Avery and London. “Our main concern is keepin’ y’all safe and getting you out of that situation. Y’all showed us that if needed, you can work together and really fuck someone up. Not only did you do it to protect yourselves, but you did it to stand up for this club.”
The brothers all nod pleased, looking at London and Avery with a higher level of respect. I swear my chest swells with pride when I hear how she stood up for me and how they took care of the ass face who was bothering them. Not only are our brothers not to be fucked with, but obviously our women are baddasses, too.
2 Piece leans forward, anger simmering in his blue gaze, “’Bout that…the fuck we doin’ to catch this sicko?” he hisses, ready to get his revenge.
Twist grins wickedly, “I’ll ride through town.”
Twist is so fucked up, I know he has to be jonesin’ for some blood by now; it’s been a while since he’s gotten to play with anyone. I think having 2 Pieces sister, Sadie, around here is good for him. She’s kept Twist occupied. He acts like an old lady fretting over her pregnant self and shit. I still don’t know what happened with her or why she came to the club. 2 Piece and Twist went to Cali to find her baby daddy and didn’t come back with shit.
Prez shakes his head, “Naw Twist, you sit tight, brother. We need to figure out who this is before we pop off hurtin’ random people.”
2 Piece demands, glaring, “This is fuckin’ bullshit. We should be out lookin’ for this scum!”
Prez glances at me, irritated with 2 Piece’s outburst. Taking a deep breath, I peer over at 2, “Brother, we’ll figure this shit out and find him, I p
romise.”
2 Piece rolls his eyes at me, huffing in disbelief. In that moment all I can think about is slamming him against a wall, face first and taking him hard. I’d wipe that little look off his face and make him give into me; make him believe every word I say. He’d listen once he figured out who was really in control.
I understand he’s pissed, but we have to be smart about this shit. We don’t need any cops or feds breathing down our fuckin’ throats if we start getting sloppy. If that happens, we’ll get nowhere in finding this person.
Prez stretches, rubbing the back of his neck as he thinks up a plan. “I understand everyone’s fuckin’ pissed. Smiles, hit up the other Captains around; see if anyone’s tryin’ to move in.” He looks down to the end of the table at the NOMADS, “Nightmare, Exterminator, since you boys are still here, keep your ears open in those little bars y’all like to chill at.” They both chin lift, and Exterminator grunts.
Prez nods, “Cain, you and Twist go to the grocery store the girls were at. See if anyone’s hangin’ around, and see if you can get some surveillance tapes.”
“On it.” Cain answers immediately, excited to be one step closer to getting London’s tormentor.
“What about me and 2 Piece?”
“Ares, they seem real keen on our fuckin’ VP.” Prez looks a little shaken up about the whole VP thing and I have no idea why. You’d think he’d be more upset about the girls being confronted on club shit. “I want you to stay close,” he mutters.
Prez turns to 2 Piece, “You’re gonna get in touch with our weapons contacts. I want you to make sure our orders are full and we’re in good standing with them all. I don’t give a fuck if you have to ride out to visit them all, just get it done.”
2 Piece nods, quietly fuming inside. I’m sure he’s pissed he’s not tasked with riding street by street looking for someone to hurt. I wish he wasn’t dealing with this so he could appreciate getting a spot at the table with a title. This should be a time of celebrating; who knows if he even really wants it. You’d think with Avery causing him to settle down some, he’d want to move up in the ranks. Instead, we’re faced with more fucking club drama.
Forsaken Control (Oathkeepers MC) Page 7